‘Cobra Kai’ Will Make The Move To Netflix In Time For Season 3
Cobra Kai, the sequel series to The Karate Kid, is making the jump from the now-discontinued line of scripted YouTube Originals to Netflix in time for the launch of a new season.
While YouTube is the second most-visited website on the internet after Google (who bought the video platform in its infancy), the tech giant opted to stop investing in originals after disappointing results for most of their premium programming. However, Cobra Kai enjoyed a solid amount of success on its own, heavily built upon a following from fans who are invested in the Karate Kid story. It was easily their most-watched original program, and a third season was renewed a while ago, but it wasn’t clear where it would be shown, since fellow YouTube Originals Step Up and On Becoming a God in Central Florida moved to Starz and Showtime respectively.
Wonder no more, as The Hollywood Reporter explains that Netflix has secured the rights to continue Cobra Kai while also serving as the new home for the first and second seasons. The series features Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who respectively portrayed the protagonist (Daniel LaRusso) and antagonist (Johnny Lawrence) of the original film, among other supporting characters reprising their roles from the series. The show follows the two finalists of the All-Valley Karate Championships 34 years after the events of the movie, as Johnny, now a broken man, rediscovers his passion for martial arts when he saves a troubled teenager from bullies. Reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, his rival Daniel returns to the karate scene when he fears that Cobra Kai’s ruthless creeds could instill problems in modern youth.
Netflix previously made a bid for the series back in 2017, as Hulu was a fellow suitor for the series before both lost to YouTube. Sony Pictures Television later opted to take the series to another streamer after YouTube made it clear that they would have no plans for a fourth season, meaning that Sony is confident that the series can continue past the current season that’s been ordered. Hulu was considered the runner-up as a new home for the series before Netflix won out again.
No return date for Cobra Kai has been announced, but the series will stream on Netflix going forward.
Grant Davis is a freelance writer who has covered entertainment news for more than seven years. His articles have frequently appeared in Star Wars News Net as well as as other entertainment-related websites. As someone who grew up on Star Wars and comic book movies, he’s completely thrilled with the current era of genre entertainment.
